Murphy's Law States anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Inevitably when you come to a fork in a trail or in this case a river you take the wrong fork. It's science. We were heading up to good luck lake when we came to an unexpected fork in the river. We went with the biggest option. It was the wrong option. When we ran across the highway again after about two miles (the mere fact that the river was supposed to be a short 1/2 mile kayak ride was not enough for us to turn around) we luckily ran into a long stretch of impassably low river, and turned around. Worst part about turning around was we were going to have to do this terrible portage. A tree had fallen over the river and the only way around was to go through the hole the upended tree left in the river. Getting in and out of the kayaks in that section of river was pretty damn difficult to say the least. We had to plop out in deep water onto the slickest mud ever. Then drag the kayaks through about a narrow passage with said mud about two feet deep. Between the teamwork, getting covered in mud, slipping all over the place, and our unique kayak re-entry strategies, we had some good material. I wish I had the video rolling.
Eventually we made it to the lake and it was definitely worth the trouble. After a trip around the lake we found the perfect camp site complete with pre-gathered firewood. We quickly set up camp and headed back out to do some fishing. We caught quite a few fish after figuring out where the fish were and what they wanted. We caught sunfish, yellow perch, and pickerel. Mostly pickerel. So far on this trip I have caught: long-eared sunfish, redear sunfish, ozark bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, mooneye, white drum, channel catfish, yellow perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, cut-throat trout, white bass, bluegill, and pickerel. I think that is all the species, but I could have missed a few. Pickerel are a pike and they have some wicked teeth. My hands are like swiss cheese and the bigger ones cut the line with their teeth nearly every time you hook one. That night we were able to catch three legal sized fish (over 15inches) and cook them in foil over the fire. Pickerel are pretty tasty. A little bit bony for inexperienced fish eaters but the meat is firm and light. Because of the very light flavor, I definitely prefer trout but these are certainly edible.
The next morning I woke up around 5 o'clock and threw out a line. First cast I caught a nice pickerel but he was hooked nicely in the lip so I let him go. We caught a lot more fish that morning and it was surreal kayaking around the lake in heavy morning mist. I caught about a 23 inch pickerel and he cut me pretty good, so I killed him for lunch. We didn't have any foil but we started a fire and I gathered up some rocks to cook him on. He was delicious, such a primitive and effective way to prepare fish. After lunch we loaded up and headed back to the boat launch.
Right now we are thinking about doing some golf... Not sure if life gets any better, but I will make it my job to try and improve :)
Eventually we made it to the lake and it was definitely worth the trouble. After a trip around the lake we found the perfect camp site complete with pre-gathered firewood. We quickly set up camp and headed back out to do some fishing. We caught quite a few fish after figuring out where the fish were and what they wanted. We caught sunfish, yellow perch, and pickerel. Mostly pickerel. So far on this trip I have caught: long-eared sunfish, redear sunfish, ozark bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, mooneye, white drum, channel catfish, yellow perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, cut-throat trout, white bass, bluegill, and pickerel. I think that is all the species, but I could have missed a few. Pickerel are a pike and they have some wicked teeth. My hands are like swiss cheese and the bigger ones cut the line with their teeth nearly every time you hook one. That night we were able to catch three legal sized fish (over 15inches) and cook them in foil over the fire. Pickerel are pretty tasty. A little bit bony for inexperienced fish eaters but the meat is firm and light. Because of the very light flavor, I definitely prefer trout but these are certainly edible.
The next morning I woke up around 5 o'clock and threw out a line. First cast I caught a nice pickerel but he was hooked nicely in the lip so I let him go. We caught a lot more fish that morning and it was surreal kayaking around the lake in heavy morning mist. I caught about a 23 inch pickerel and he cut me pretty good, so I killed him for lunch. We didn't have any foil but we started a fire and I gathered up some rocks to cook him on. He was delicious, such a primitive and effective way to prepare fish. After lunch we loaded up and headed back to the boat launch.
Right now we are thinking about doing some golf... Not sure if life gets any better, but I will make it my job to try and improve :)
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